Lexington rapper to raise money for homicide victim's family

A recent rash of killings in Lexington has claimed several of Lexington hip-hop artist Devine Camara's friends.

At 9 p.m. May 21, the indie rapper is hosting an event at Devassa Bar and Cafe in Victorian Square. Proceeds from $5 ticket sales and donations will be given to the family of Brian Edward Carr, who was gunned down on East Main Street on May 1.

The event, called Whats Going On? (Stop Violence, Stop The Silence), is aimed at raising awareness of the violence taking the lives of young black men in Lexington.

"We have people that have witnessed these crimes and refuse to speak out because of the perverted use of the 'no snitching' mantra," Camara wrote on the event's Facebook page.

When Carr was shot, dozens of people leaving downtown bars were potential witnesses.

It took two weeks for Lexington police to name a suspect in the case.

"News outlets, politicians, athletes, and most importantly (because of our close ties to the streets) hip hop artists have not drawn these murders together to form a bigger picture," the event page said.

Camara said he didn't know Carr well — he'd met him once, at a recent concert — but the rapper was good friends with Carr's sister, Marsha Gerton.

Camara was closer to two others whose homicides have not been solved.

Anthony Lewis, 24, was shot to death at his apartment on Trent Boulevard two days before Carr was killed.

Camara said Lewis was a student and a hard worker, who helped organize community events.

"He had his nose clean," Camara said. "He was a real good guy."

Camara also grew up in the Tates Creek area with Rocardo "Tezzy" Cole, who was gunned down in the parking lot of a shopping center on Alexandria Drive on Dec. 18.

The event at Devassa will feature spoken word poetry, live painting and live hip hop and neo soul concerts.